NewKerala.com

India's Women's Football Squad Announced for 2026 Asian Cup in Australia

The All India Football Federation has announced the 26-member Indian senior women's squad for the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup in Australia. India is placed in Group C and will face Vietnam, Japan, and Chinese Taipei in the group stage, with matches beginning March 4 in Perth. The tournament serves as a direct qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, with quarter-final winners booking their spot. The squad features a mix of experienced players from the 2022 edition and six potential debutants, with Grace Dangmei as the highest-capped player and top scorer.

Key Points: India Women's Squad for 2026 AFC Asian Cup Announced

  • Squad of 26 announced for Australia 2026
  • India in Group C with Vietnam, Japan, Chinese Taipei
  • Top two from group advance to quarter-finals
  • Quarter-final winners qualify for 2027 FIFA World Cup
3 min read

Indian squad for 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia announced

India's 26-member women's football squad for the 2026 AFC Asian Cup in Australia is revealed. See fixtures, key players, and World Cup qualification path.

"Grace Dangmei is the highest-capped player and top-scorer in India's squad with 23 goals in 91 appearances. - AIFF Press Release"

New Delhi, February 20

The Indian senior women's team's 26-member squad for the Asian Football Confederation Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026 has been announced.

Placed in Group C, India will begin their campaign against Vietnam on March 4 at the Perth Rectangular Stadium at 16:30 IST, followed by a meeting against Japan on March 7 at the same time and venue. The last group stage match will be against Chinese Taipei on March 10 at the Western Sydney Stadium at 14:30 IST, as per a press release from the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

The top two sides from each group, along with the two best third-placed teams, will progress to the quarter-finals. The four quarter-final winners will qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027. The losing quarter-finalists will contest the play-offs for the two remaining direct spots allocated to the AFC for the World Cup. The two play-off losers will have another chance of qualifying for Brazil via the Play-off Tournament.

After a four-week camp in Turkiye, the Blue Tigresses arrived in Perth on February 11. Among the 26 players in the squad, eight were part of the last Asian Cup that was hosted by India in 2022 -- Sweety Devi Ngangbam, Shilky Devi Hemam, Sanju, Anju Tamang, Pyari Xaxa, Grace Dangmei, Manisha Kalyan and Sowmiya Narayanasamy. However, India had to withdraw from the tournament after just one game due to a COVID outbreak.

In the squad that will battle it out in Australia, there are six potential debutants who are yet to be capped for India -- defenders Sarita Yumnam and Sushmita Lepcha, midfielders Jasoda Munda, Sanfida Nongrum and Aveka Singh, and forward Kaviya Pakkirisamy.

Grace Dangmei is the highest-capped player and top-scorer in India's squad with 23 goals in 91 appearances. Born in 1995, Anju Tamang is the seniormost player at 30 years old. As she was in the 2022 edition, Shilky Devi Hemam is the youngest in the Indian squad, now 20 years old.

As far as club representation is concerned, East Bengal FC have the most players in India's Asian Cup squad -- eight, followed by Sethu FC with six and Sribhumi FC with four. Aveka Singh and Manisha Kalyan, who play for Naestved HG (Denmark) and Alianza Lima (Peru), respectively, are the only two players who play for clubs abroad.

-India's squad for the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026:

Goalkeepers: Panthoi Chanu Elangbam, Shreya Hooda, Sowmiya Narayanasamy.

Defenders: Astam Oraon, Juli Kishan, Martina Thokchom, Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam, Sanju, Sarita Yumnam, Shilky Devi Hemam, Sushmita Lepcha, Sweety Devi Ngangbam.

Midfielders: Anju Tamang, Aveka Singh, Babina Devi Lisham, Jasoda Munda, Sanfida Nongrum, Sangita Basfore.

Forwards: Grace Dangmei, Kaviya Pakkirisamy, Lynda Kom Serto, Malavika P, Manisha Kalyan, Pyari Xaxa, Rimpa Haldar, Soumya Guguloth.

Head coach: Amelia Valverde

Assistant coach: Crispin Chettri

Assistant coach: Priya PV

Goalkeeping coach: Eli Avila

Goalkeeping coach: Mario Aguiar

Strength and conditioning coach: Jose Sanchez.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
The group is tough with Japan, but Vietnam and Chinese Taipei are matches we can definitely target for wins. Qualification for the World Cup is the ultimate prize. Hoping the preparation in Turkey pays off. Jai Hind!
R
Rohit P
Good to see players from clubs abroad like Manisha Kalyan. We need more exposure like that. But honestly, the domestic club representation shows most players are from just a few clubs—East Bengal, Sethu. Need to broaden the talent pool across more Indian clubs.
S
Sarah B
Heartbreaking to remember they had to withdraw last time due to COVID. Wishing them a safe and successful tournament this time. The schedule looks packed, hope the team manages recovery well between matches.
K
Karthik V
Six potential debutants! That's exciting. Shows the system is producing new talent. Hope they get a chance to shine. Special shoutout to the coaching staff too, looks like a solid support team behind the players.
M
Meera T
The path to the World Cup is clear. Even if we don't win the quarters, there's a playoff chance. This is a huge opportunity for women's football in India. Let's all support them! Match timings are decent for watching in India. ⚽

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50